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Sunday, 29 March 2015

One evening when sitting in our sundown spot watching the evening draw in we got the sensation we were being watched. Sure enough, this diminutive character was perched on the highest twig, keeping an eye on us.

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

Waxworms are a great feeder favourite in our yard whether plucked directly from the feeder or hoovered up from the ground beneath as in the case with this Cactus Wren. Either way it seems, they taste very good!

Sunday, 15 March 2015

The Gila Woodpecker is so loud and raucous it often overshadows it's smaller, (slightly) quieter cousin. I never tire of watching the little Ladder-backed Woodpeckers hopping about in the trees, chattering away as they forage for bugs and grubs.

Wednesday, 11 March 2015

A long soaking rain is rare in the desert so when it occurred a few weeks ago it stimulated a lot of growth of species we rarely get to see. One of which is this beautiful, delicate Desert Hyacinth Dichelostemma capitatum.

The bulbs of this species are deeply buried, dormant until stimulated by soaking rains. The bulbs were also eaten by Native Americans.

Sunday, 1 March 2015

Being English I am very used to seeing moss growing all over the place. But it is just not something I associate with the desert. That is the delight of watching a natural environment year round, there will always be a surprise tucked away somewhere, waiting to be discovered.

We have a small piece of land nestled up against the mountains and this blog is a pictorial record of what occurs there. My only rule, if it doesn't take place on our land - it doesn't get on the blog.